The Only Pirate at the Party by Lindsey Stirling and Brooke S. Passey

The Only Pirate at the Party
by Lindsey Stirling and Brooke S. Passey

Read: August 3-4, 2016
Published: January 12, 2016
Genre: Memoir

A classically trained musician gone rogue, Lindsey Stirling is the epitome of independent, millennial-defined success: after being voted off the set of America's Got Talent, she went on to amass more than ten million social media fans, record two full-length albums, release multiple hits with billions of YouTube views, and to tour sold-out venues across the world.

Lindsey is not afraid to be herself. In fact, it's her confidence and individuality that have propelled her into the spotlight. But the road hasn't been easy. After being rejected by talent scouts, music reps, and eventually on national television, Lindsey forged her own path, step by step. Detailing every trial and triumph she has faced until now, Lindsey shares stories of her humble yet charmed childhood, humorous adolescence, life as a struggling musician, personal struggles with anorexia, and finally, success as a world-class entertainer. Lindsey's magnetizing story—at once remarkable and universal—is a testimony that there is no singular recipe for success, and despite what people may say, sometimes it's okay to be The Only Pirate at the Party. (Amazon)
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Why did you read this book?
I like Lindsey Stirling.

What did you like about this book?
This is the second memoir I've read and it's left me wondering why I haven't read more of them. This was an equally inspiring and entertaining read. I liked that so much of the information was entirely new to me, whereas with As You Wish (Cary Elwes), I knew quite a bit of it already just from finding random things on the internet. I loved how each chapter was set up and how they fit with each other. My particular favorite was the "Chapter on My Young and Carefree Drug/Alcohol Escapades". Should you choose to read this book, you will see why I love it so much. Lindsey Stirling seems like a truly genuine and hilarious person. I would love to be her best friend. She actually really reminded me of one of my cousins, with all of her weird quirks and outgoing personality. She (Stirling, not my cousin) also makes everything she discusses relatable, even though her lifestyle is entirely different from mine. I just finished this book a few hours ago, but I already want to reread it. I can't properly articulate how inspiring it was, so you're just going to have to trust me on it. It's nice to read through someone else's trials and triumphs and recognize your own struggles. It's encouraging to feel like you're not alone. I could really go on and on about my love for this book, but the big thing (the biggest thing for any book I read) is that it made me cry, but it also made me laugh out loud. I mean, it was more of a giggle most of the time, but I couldn't hold it in regardless. Also, she got me to pick up my cello and start practicing again. Thanks, Lindsey.

What didn't you like about this book?
There isn't much to dislike, but there are always a few things. I wish, if at all possible, the chapters could have gone in chronological order. Or at least have how old she was a the beginning of the chapter. I realize it's not that important, but I like having a timeline in my head of when the big things happen. It was hard to make a timeline. The other thing I didn't like was the names! There were so many that I wasn't quite sure which ones were her sisters at first. I know that's just me not being careful when I read, but you can understand when I get halfway through the book and I have to stop and thing, 'Wait...Jennifer is her sister?' It just throws of my reading groove.

Bottom-Line:
This is a great book. Everyone should read it, especially those either going through an existential crisis or just going through a period of change. Or a period of monotony. Ok, let's make this easier. Are you breathing? Are you a person? You should read this book.



"I make art for the sake of art...and for my own selfish gratification because I'm an artistic monster." -Lindsey Stirling, The Only Pirate at the Party

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child by Jack Thorne

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child 
by Jack Thorne

Read: July 31-August 1, 2016
Published: July 31, 2016
Genre: Play

It was always difficult being Harry Potter and it isn't much easier now that he is an overworked employee of the Ministry of Magic, a husband, and a father of three school-age children.

While Harry grapples with a past that refuses to stay where it belongs, his youngest son Albus must struggle with the weight of a family legacy he never wanted. As past and present fuse ominously, both father and son learn the uncomfortable truth: sometimes, darkness comes from unexpected places. (Amazon)







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Why did you read this book?
Harry Potter has been and always will be a huge part of my life. It is for this reason that I was a bit hesitant to read this new play, which isn't even written by my beloved favorite author. (If it ain't broke, don't fix it, am I right?) However, when a friend asked if I wanted to see if Meijer still had a few copies, I couldn't help but go along. Sure enough, the book was still there, but I wasn't ready to make the decision. To read, or not to read? So I carried a copy around the store with me while we looked at clearance items. Of course, once I'd held it that long I grew attached and couldn't part with it. (I grow attached far too easily, I'm afraid).

What did you like about this book?
Despite not being written by J.K. Rowling, the characters mostly felt like the ones I'd grown up with. Of course, they were a bit different, but they've gone through 19 years without me. I enjoyed the idea of time-travelling and it's repercussions, something that I would have liked to see more of in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. Something that I felt was portrayed rather well was Harry's struggles as a father and his survivor's guilt. He's never going to just live happily-ever-after and he has to learn to live with that. My favorite part of this book/play was probably Scorpius Malfoy (something I certainly didn't see coming). I was able to see myself in him, just as I was able to see bits of myself in Harry, Ron, and Hermione. Despite the limited nature of a play (in my opinion), he was a well-developed character.

What didn't you like about this book?
Oh boy. I hate to say this, but I was a little disappointed. I'll start with Albus, shall I? I couldn't relate to him. I've always been able to relate to Rowling's characters in some small way...and that's just the problem. This isn't Rowling's character. Yes, she named him, but she didn't give him his personality. To be honest, I found him to be downright insufferable at times. It's really hard to root for him. Next is the format. There was so much information that we weren't privy to because it's impossible to fit all of that into a play. We didn't really get to see what Albus and Scorpius were like at school or how their friendship was built. We got the basic plot with very few details. It was like watching the movie version of the book (which, I suppose as play, that's kind of what it is). I feel like this story would have been better told in novel form. Although, if I didn't have the Rowling's series to compare it to, I wouldn't have minded as much. (Much like Albus, The Cursed Child just has a lot to live up to after its predecessor's legacy). I was also disappointed that there weren't mentions of Teddy Lupin. I thought he might be featured, or at least mentioned, considering Harry is his godfather. Lastly, there were parts of it that just felt ridiculous (ahem, riddikulus), kind of like I was reading fan-fiction minus the smut. I mean, teenage boys do not hug that much. They just don't. I half expected them to start making out (or rather, snog) by the end of the book/play. Also, one plot point, one major plot point, that I just refuse to except is...actually, stop reading here, if you don't want things spoiled. I'm about to write about a huge spoiler and as much as I'm upset by it, I don't want to ruin it for anyone else. So, stop reading now. I'm going to type the spoiler in white, so you'll have to highlight it to read it. The major plot point that I refuse to except is that Voldemort had a daughter. It is completely out of character in my opinion. There is just so much fan-fiction there that I can't take it seriously.

Bottom-Line:
Despite all of the shortcomings, I still enjoyed reading it. I would recommend it to other Harry Potter fans so they can form their own opinion. I could be a little harsh, but that's only because I am very protective of the series and I don't want it ruined in any way, even if it's just a small way. I will definitely read it again in a few months after my brain has had time to process. In the meantime, I think I'll reread the series.


"That's the thing, isn't it? About friendships. You don't know what he needs. You only know he needs it." -Harry Potter and the Cursed Child by Jack Thorne